Lisa Wilkinson: 'How I transformed my health'

Whether she's on your TV screen, in your Instagram feed or standing right in front of you, there's something you notice immediately about Lisa Wilkinson — her energy.

Given she gets up at 3AM five days a week to co-host the Today show with Karl Stefanovic, has three children, and lends her time to various causes and charities, no one would begrudge her for being tired.

But at 57, Lisa is in the best shape of her life after she and her husband — journalist and former Wallabies star Peter Fitzsimmons — overhauled their lifestyles.

"Pete made a massive life change when he gave up alcohol and sugar three years ago," Lisa tells Coach.

“About 18 months ago he started going to the gym a lot, and when I saw the difference in his levels of energy and vitality, the way he was just attacking the day, I decided I'd like a little bit more of that."

Exercise and eat clean (most of the time)

Inspired by her husband of 25 years, Lisa committed to regular sessions at the gym combining cardio and strength-training, in addition to lots of walking and gardening.

"I began to feel the benefits almost immediately," she says.

The couple have also embraced a nutritious, balanced diet best described as the Mediterranean diet, including lots of fresh vegetables and fish.

"I eat fairly cleanly — I eat the rainbow every day," Lisa says. "I try not to have too much dairy, and I'm not a big red meat eater so I eat quite a bit of fish.

"I try to do the basics without being a fanatic about it."

But she doesn’t forget to treat herself occasionally by indulging in her main vice.

"I still love my chocolate."

Drink right

Beverages can be the downfall of an otherwise healthy diet, with large milk coffees or sugary soft drinks containing unwanted calories.

That's why Lisa sticks mainly to black coffee, kombucha, the occasional wine, and a special concoction she drinks every morning.

"With coffee, I only drink long blacks, and every morning the first thing I have is a cup of hot water with fresh lemon and grated ginger."

She also drinks a bottle of Remedy kombucha a day, something she discovered after becoming interested in the link between fermented foods and gut health.

"I keep hearing about how important fermented foods are for good gut health, and I have to say it makes a huge difference."